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Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2024

Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2024

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2024N00576 In force Notifiable Instrument

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AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGED CARE

HEALTH INSURANCE ACT 1973

Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2024

I, Nigel Murray, Assistant Secretary, MBS Policy and Specialist Programs Branch, Medicare Benefits and Digital Health Division, Health Resourcing Group, delegate for the Minister for Health and Aged Care, acting under subsection 19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) hereby:

(1) REVOKE the Direction made under subsection 19(2) of the Act in respect of professional services provided by the Northern Territory Government titled Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2021 dated 29 June 2021; and

(2) DIRECT that a Medicare benefit shall be payable in respect of:

(a) a professional service (as defined in section 3 of the Act) provided by a salaried provider employed or engaged by the Northern Territory Government and provided in a clinic listed in Schedule B to this Direction, for which;

(i) items specified in Schedule A to this Direction of the general medical services table (means the table prescribed under subsection 4(1) of the Act), diagnostic imaging services table (means the table prescribed under subsection 4AA(1) of the Act) and pathology services table (means the table prescribed under subsection 4A(1) of the Act) relates; and

(ii) the professional service is provided to an eligible person (as defined in section 3 of the Act).

Note: ‘Professional service’ as used in this Direction is defined in the Act.

DECLARE that this Direction commences on 29 June 2024 and ceases to have effect at 30 June 2028 unless earlier revoked.

Date this 21 day of June 2024.

Nigel MurrayAssistant SecretaryMBS Policy and Specialist Programs BranchMedicare Benefits and Digital Health DivisionHealth Resourcing Group Department of Health and Aged Care

SCHEDULE A

PERMITTED MEDICARE BENEFITS SCHEDULE items

For services listed in the below tables, all provisions of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) and regulations made under the Act, and the National Health Act 1953 and regulations made under the National Health Act 1953, relating to medical services, professional services or items apply.

All items in the Groups listed in Table 1 are permitted. Services provided under this instrument must meet all the requirements of the items claimed, as provided in the relevant item descriptors.

Table 1: General Medical Services Table – item groups

Group	Group Name
A1	General practitioner attendances to which no other item applies
A2	Other non-referred attendances to which no other item applies
A5	Prolonged attendances to which no other item applies
A6	Group therapy
A7	Acupuncture and non-specialist practitioner items
A9	Contact lenses
A10	Optometric services provided by optometrist
A11	Urgent attendances after-hours
A14	Health assessments
A15	GP management plans, team care arrangements and multidisciplinary care plans and case conferences
A17	Domiciliary and residential medication management reviews
A20	Mental health care
A22	General practitioner after‑hours attendances to which no other item applies
A23	Other non‑referred after‑hours attendances to which no other item applies
A27	Pregnancy support counselling
A35	Non‑referred attendance at a residential aged care facility
A44	General Practice attendance for assessing patient suitability for a COVID-19 vaccine
D2	Nuclear medicine (non-imaging)
M1	Management of bulk-billed services
M3	Allied Health services
M6	Psychological therapy services
M7	Focussed psychological strategies health services
M8	Pregnancy Support Counselling
M9	Allied Health Group Services
M10	Complex neurodevelopmental disorder and disability services
M11	Allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
M12	Services Provided By A Practice Nurse Or Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner On Behalf Of A Medical Practitioner
M13	Midwifery Services
M14	Nurse Practitioners
M15	Diagnostic Audiology Services
M16	Eating Disorders Services

All items in the Subgroups listed in Table 2 are permitted.
Table 2: General Medical Services Table – item subgroups

Group	Group Name	Subgroup	Subgroup Name
A40	Telehealth and phone attendance services	1	General practice telehealth services
		2	General practice phone services
		3	Focussed Psychological Strategies telehealth services
		10	Focussed Psychological Strategies phone services
		11	Health Assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People ‑ Telehealth Service
		13	GP management plans, team care arrangements and multidisciplinary care plans via telehealth attendance
		15	GP Pregnancy Support Counselling ‑ Telehealth Service
		16	GP Pregnancy Support Counselling ‑ Phone Service
		19	GP Mental Health Treatment Plan ‑ Telehealth Service
		20	GP Mental Health Treatment Plan ‑ Phone Service
		21	GP Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan – Telehealth Service
		25	Review of an Eating Disorder Plan ‑ Telehealth Service
		26	Review of an Eating Disorder Plan – Phone Service
		27	Eating Disorder Psychological Treatment Services – Telehealth Service
		28	Eating Disorder Psychological Treatment Strategies – Phone Service
		29	GP and Other Medical Practitioner ‑ Urgent After Hours Service in Unsociable Hours ‑ Telehealth Service
		39	GP Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultation – Telehealth Service
		40	GP Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultation – Phone Service
D1	Miscellaneous diagnostic procedures and investigations	1	Neurology
		2	Ophthalmology
		5	Vascular
		6	Cardiovascular
		7	Gastroenterology and colorectal
		8	Genito/urinary physiological investigations
		9	Allergy testing
		10	Other diagnostic procedures and interventions
T1	Miscellaneous therapeutic procedures	5	Cardiovascular
T1	Miscellaneous therapeutic procedures	6	Gastroenterology

All items listed in Table 3 are permitted.
Table 3: General Medical Services Table – items

Group	Group Name	Items
A29	Early intervention services for children with autism, pervasive developmental disorder or disability	139
A36	Eating disorder services	90250-90257, 90264, 90265, 90271-90278
A40	COVID-19 services	92145, 92170, 92171, 92176, 92177
D1	Miscellaneous diagnostic procedures and investigations	11300-11318, 11330, 11503-11507, 11512
T1	Miscellaneous therapeutic procedures	13105-13110
T4	Obstetrics	16400, 16406-16500, 16502-16591
T8	Surgical operations	30001-30006, 30026-30055, 30061-30072, 30187, 30189, 30192-30219
O1	Consultations	51700, 51703, 54001-54004

All items in the Groups listed in Table 4 are permitted.
Table 4: Diagnostic Imaging Services Table

Group	Group Name
I1	Ultrasound
I3	Diagnostic radiology
I6	Management of bulk-billed services

All items in the Groups listed in Table 5 are permitted.
Table 5: Pathology Services Table

Group	Group Name
P9	Simple basic pathology tests
P12	Management of bulk-billed services
P13	Bulk-billing incentive

SCHEDULE B

Approved Services – NORTHERN TERRITORY

Practice Name	Street Address	Mailing Address
Darwin Rural District
Belyuen (Delissaville) Community Health Centre	Lot 252 Cox Peninsula Road, Belyuen, NT, 0822	PMB 18, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Maningrida Community Health Centre	Lot 659 Maningrida, NT, 0821	PMB 185, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Minjilang Community Health Centre	Lot 224 Yington Street, Minjilang, NT, 0822	Croker Island, via Darwin, NT, 0822
Nauiyu Community Health Centre	Lot 126, Nauiyu (Daly River), NT, 0822	PMB 28, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa) Community Health Centre	Lot 77, Palumpa, NT, 0822	CMB 30, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Oenpelli (Gunbalanya) Community Health Centre	Lot 503, Oenpelli, NT, 0822	CMB 6, Oenpelli, NT, 0822
Peppimenarti Community Health Centre	Lot 73, Peppimenarti NT, 0822	PMB 56, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Wadeye (Port Keats) Community Health Centre	Lot 490, Port Keats NT, 0822	PMB 202, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Warruwi Community Health Centre	Lot 50, Warruwi (Goulburn Island), NT, 0822	Goulburn Island, via Darwin
Woodycupildiya Community Health	Lot 12 via Daly River Road, Nemarluk, NT, 0822	PMB 132, Winnellie, NT, 0820
Katherine East District
Binjari Community Health Centre	Lot 43, Binjari North, via Katherine, NT, 0851	PO Box 480, Katherine, NT, 0851
Numbulwar Health Centre	Lot 141, Numbulwar, NT, 0822	CMB 17, via Katherine, NT, 0851
Pine Creek Community Health Centre	32 Baxter Terrace, Pine Creek, NT, 0847	PO Box 146, Pine Creek, NT, 0847
Robinson River Community Health Centre	Lot 44, Robinson River, NT, 0854	PO Box 433, Borroloola, NT, 0854
East Arnhem District
Alyangula (Groote Eylandt) Health Centre	Lot M1541, Poinciana Street, Alyangula, Groote Eylandt, NT, 0885	PO Box 347, Alyangula, Groote Eylandt, NT, 0885
Angurugu Community Health Centre	Lot 369, Angurugu, Groote Eylandt, NT, 0885	PO Box 347, Alyangula, Groote Eylandt, NT, 0885
Gunyangara (Marngarr) Health Centre	Gunyangara, NT, 0881	PO Box 144, Nhulunbuy, NT, 0880
Laynhapuy (Layna Homelands) Health Centre	Laynhapuy, NT, 0881	PO Box 1546, Nhulunbuy, NT, 0880
Milingimbi Community Health Centre	Lot M0037, Milingimbi, NT, 0882
Milyakburra (Bickerton Island) Health Centre	Lot 63, Milyakburra, Bickerton Island, NT, 0885	PMB 4, Alyangula, Groote Eylandt, NT, 0885
Umbakumba Health Centre	Lot 285, 23 Alyarrkangka Crescent, Umbakumba, NT, 0822	PO Box 347, Alyangula, Groote Eylandt, NT, 0885
Yirrkala Community Health Centre	Lot 144, Yirrkala, NT, 0881	PO Box 421, Nhulunbuy, NT, 0880
Alice Springs Remote District
Alpurrurulam (Lake Nash) Community Health Centre	Lot 21, Alpurrurulam, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Amunturmgu (Mt Liebig) Community Health Centre	Lot 20, Mt Liebig, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Aputula (Finke) Community Health Centre	Finke, NT 0872	CMB via Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Atitjere (Harts Range) Community Health Centre	Lot M2431, Harts Range, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Bonya (Baikal Bonja) Community Health Centre	Bonya, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Engawala (Alcoota) Community Health Centre	Lot 22, Engawala, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) Community Health Centre	Lot 78, Haasts Bluff, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Kaltukatjara (Docker River) Community Health Centre	Lot 112, Kaltukatjara, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Imanpa Community	Mount Ebenezer, NT, 0871	PMB Imanpa, via Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Laramba (Napperby) Community Health Centre	Lot 74, Laramba, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Ntaria (Hermannsburg) Community Health Centre	Lot 95, Ntaria, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Nturiya (Ti Tree Station) Community Health Centre	Lot 37, Nturiya, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Nyirripi (Waite Creek) Community Health Centre	Lot 139, Nyirripi, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Papunya Community Health Centre	Lot 224, Papunya, NT 0872	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Pmara Jutunta (Ti Tree 6 mile) Community Health Centre	Pmara Jutunta, NT 0872	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Tara (Neutral Junction) Community Health Centre	Lot 30, Tara, NT 0872	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Ti Tree Community Health Centre	Palmer Street, Ti Tree, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Titjikala (Maryvale) Community Health Centre	Lot 53, Titjikala, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Utju (Areyonga) Community Health Centre	Lot 75, Areyonga, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Wallace Rockhole Health Centre	Lot 68, Wallace Rockhole, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Watarrka (Kings Canyon - Ulpanyali) Community Health Centre	Watarrka, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Wilora (Stirling) Community Health Centre	Lot M0025, Wilora, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Wirilyatjarrayi (Willowra) Health Centre	Lot 40, Willowra, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Yuelamu (Mt Alien) Community Health Centre	Lot 67, Yuelamu, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Yuendumu Community Health Centre	Lot 430, Tanami Road, Yuendumu, NT, 0871	PO Box 721, Alice Springs, NT, 0870
Barkly District
Ali-Curung / Alekarenge (Warrabri) Community Health Centre	Lot 159, Ali-Curung, NT, 0861	PO Box 346, Tennant Creek, NT, 0860
Barkly Mobile#	Tennant Creek Hospital, Schmidt Street, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861	PO Box 346, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861
Canteen Creek (Orwatijilla) Health Centre	Lot 3, Canteen Creek, NT, 0861	PO Box 346, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861
Elliott Community Health Centre	Bray Street, Elliott, NT, 0861	PO Box 346, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861
Epenarra (Wutunurrgurru) Health Centre	Lot 26, Epenarra, NT, 0861	PO Box 346, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861
# Barkly Mobile includes approximately 20 stations including Brunette Downs, Muru Murula, Nicholson River, Alexandria, Walhallow, and Angus Camp
Borroloola
Borroloola Health Clinic	11 Gawara Street Borroloola, NT, 0854	PO Box 430 Borroloola, NT, 0854
Tiwi Islands Health Services
Julanimawu Primary Health Centre	Lot 737, Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu), NT, 0822	P.O. Box 75, Nguiu, NT, 0822
Milikapiti Community Health Centre	Lot 249 Milikapiti (Snake Bay), Melville Island, NT, 0822	PMB 279 via Winnellie, NT, 0820
Pirlangimpi	Lot 00238 Pirlangimpi, NT, 0822	PMB 155 via Winnellie, NT, 0820

Overview

The Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2024 (the Direction), issued under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act), revokes the previous Direction from 2021 and sets out new provisions for Medicare benefits payable in respect of professional services provided by the Northern Territory Government. Enacted by Nigel Murray, Assistant Secretary of the MBS Policy and Specialist Programs Branch, Medicare Benefits and Digital Health Division, Health Resourcing Group, Department of Health and Aged Care, the Direction specifies that a Medicare benefit is payable for professional services provided by salaried providers employed or engaged by the Northern Territory Government in clinics listed in Schedule B, for services that are listed in the specified tables of Schedule A. The Direction aims to ensure that eligible individuals receive the necessary medical services with appropriate Medicare benefits and applies from 29 June 2024 until 30 June 2028 unless earlier revoked.

Scope and Application

The Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2024 applies to professional services provided by salaried providers employed or engaged by the Northern Territory Government. It pertains to services rendered in clinics specified in Schedule B to the Direction and involves items listed in Schedule A, which includes items from the general medical services table, diagnostic imaging services table, and pathology services table. The Direction applies to services provided to eligible persons as defined under the Health Insurance Act 1973. The Direction is effective from 29 June 2024 and will cease to have effect on 30 June 2028 unless revoked earlier. It revokes the previous Direction dated 29 June 2021. The Direction does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does state that services must meet all requirements of the items claimed as provided in the relevant item descriptors. The Direction extends the application of the Act by specifying particular services and items for which Medicare benefits are payable, subject to the conditions and limitations set out in the Act and its regulations.

Key Provisions

The Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – Northern Territory Government) Direction 2024 (the Direction) revokes the previous Direction issued in 2021, and introduces new provisions to govern the payment of Medicare benefits for professional services provided by salaried providers employed or engaged by the Northern Territory Government in specific clinics. Under the Direction, a Medicare benefit is payable for professional services provided by such providers in clinics listed in Schedule B, provided that the services fall under items specified in Schedule A of the general medical services table, diagnostic imaging services table, and pathology services table, and are provided to an eligible person (sections 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii)). The Direction imposes several obligations on the Northern Territory Government and its salaried providers. Firstly, the Direction requires that the professional services provided must fall within the specified items listed in Schedule A, and must meet all the requirements of the relevant item descriptors (section 2(a)). Secondly, the Direction mandates that the services must be provided in clinics listed in Schedule B, which are located in various regions across the Northern Territory (Schedule B). Thirdly, the Direction requires that the services are provided to eligible persons, as defined in the Health Insurance Act 1973 (section 3). Failure to comply with the Direction may result in civil or criminal consequences. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Health Insurance Act 1973 are set out in section 24A of the Act. For individuals, the maximum penalty is 120 penalty units, or for a corporation, 600 penalty units. In addition to civil penalties, the Direction may also result in criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment, under section 24B of the Act. The specific penalties for breach of the Direction are not stated in the text, but may be subject to further legislative provisions.

Area of Law: Health Law
Instrument: Direction
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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